The Women Today magazine, in conjunction with The Point, an events management company, is celebrating the most important women in our lives. Our mothers. This year, to celebrate Mothers Day on May 12, we ask our readers to write a letter to their mother to tell them how they feel about them and the impact they have had in their lives.

The story of my mother can’t be told in a day, not even in a year. It stretches to eternity. Long departed from this wretched earth, my mother, the memory of her, lingers on and on. 

The first thing I vividly remember of my God sent mother dates from when I was six years old. This is when we were separated for the first time. 

I was only going away for a while, but I cannot forget the look of anguish on her face as we parted. Naturally, all I felt at that time as a child was excitement at the prospect of travelling alone - unattended for the first time. Only later, much later, did I realize my selfishness. I didn’t care about her feelings and the pain our parting caused her.

Now, when I how she rocked me softly in her arms as a baby like I always see other women do, I feel such unimaginable bliss. 

I imagine how she carried me in her womb during those long months, gave birth to me, then thrived to love and protect me. She fed me, gave me love, happiness and care. 

But now that I am older, I remember the voice of my mother, the sweet voice that made me so happy, that made me have beautiful dreams after listening to her sweet lullabies. 

The second time I parted with my mother would be the last. This is the time death came calling.

Time and again women have been thought of as the weaker sex but Rwandan women have contributed to the welfare of the family; especially during those difficult days in the refugee camps. 

Mothers were the major food producers; they went to the farm, they fetched water, they often made meals out of nothing and particularly, they fought to raise their children with positive values. 

My mother, the epitome of love, did all that, and more.  I cannot give her anything but I thank her for everything.

That’s why I celebrate you today dear mother, may God bless your soul.